Friends United Reconciliation Talks

The Friends United Reconciliation Talks bring together Indigenous knowledge keepers, artists, educators, community leaders, public figures, and friends for thoughtful conversations about reconciliation in Canada.

Hosted primarily by Nancy Regan at the Friends United International Convention Centre in Unama’ki, Cape Breton, the series explores Indigenous art, cultural knowledge, education, justice, leadership, healing, and the relationships needed to move reconciliation from words into meaningful action.

These conversations form a dedicated series within the broader Friends United Interview Series. While the full interview collection also includes artistic journeys, cultural stories, performances, collaborations, and the history of Friends United, the Reconciliation Talks focus specifically on listening, learning, relationship-building, and shared responsibility.

  • Select a video image to watch the conversation on YouTube. The interview title and the button below each introduction lead to the complete Friends United interview page with further context, topics, and video information.

Rodney MacDonald & Iain Rankin on Reconciliation (English, 58 min.)

Rodney MacDonald, Iain Rankin and Nancy Regan during Friends United reconciliation talks in Cape Breton

Former Nova Scotia premiers Rodney MacDonald and Iain Rankin join Nancy Regan for the second annual Friends United Reconciliation Talks, reflecting on public leadership, listening, Mi’kmaq language, Indigenous art, youth, education and the responsibility to move reconciliation into action.

Mary Coyle, Jay Bell Redbird and Loretta Gould on Art, Recognition and Friends United (English, 60 min.)

Mary Coyle, Jay Bell Redbird and Loretta Gould in a Friends United interview with Nancy Regan

Nancy Regan speaks with Mary Coyle, Jay Bell Redbird and Loretta Gould about Indigenous art, mentorship, recognition and the relationships at the heart of Friends United.

Stephen McNeil & Rodney MacDonald on Reconciliation and Leadership (English, 50 min.)

Stephen McNeil and Rodney MacDonald discussing reconciliation at Friends United

Former Nova Scotia premiers Stephen McNeil and Rodney MacDonald speak with Nancy Regan about reconciliation, public leadership, trust and the importance of listening before acting.

Leona Aglukkaq & Rodney MacDonald on Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledge (English, 69 min.)

Leona Aglukkaq and Rodney MacDonald discuss reconciliation and Indigenous knowledge at Friends United

Nancy Regan speaks with Leona Aglukkaq and Rodney MacDonald about reconciliation, residential school history, Inuit culture, Northern livelihoods and Indigenous knowledge.

Peter MacKay & Adam Rodgers on Reconciliation and Justice (English, 56 min.)

Peter MacKay and Adam Rodgers discussing reconciliation at Friends United

Peter MacKay and Adam Rodgers discuss reconciliation, Indigenous justice, Arctic communities and the importance of listening to Indigenous knowledge and experience.

Carla Arsenault & Vivek Saxena on Education and Reconciliation (English, 30 min.)

Carla Arsenault and Vivek Saxena speaking with Nancy Regan about education, art and reconciliation at Friends United

Nancy Regan speaks with Carla Arsenault and Vivek Saxena about Indigenous student support, Mi’kmaq art, campus Elders and reconciliation through education at Nova Scotia Community College.

Brenda Chisholm-Beaton & Karen Bernard on Reconciliation and Women’s Leadership (English, 51 min.)

Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton and Karen Bernard in a Friends United interview about reconciliation and women’s leadership

Brenda Chisholm-Beaton and Karen Bernard speak with Nancy Regan about reconciliation, women’s leadership, cultural reconnection and Grandmothers Gatherings in Unama’ki.

Stephen J. Augustine & Dan Christmas: Art, Land & Reconciliation (English, 80 min.)

Hereditary Chief Stephen J. Augustine and Senator Dan Christmas in conversation with Nancy Regan at Friends United

Hereditary Chief Stephen J. Augustine and retired Senator Dan Christmas speak with Nancy Regan about Mi’kmaq leadership, land, family, Indigenous stories and the role of art in reconciliation.

Eric Schweig: Art, Heritage & Healing (English, 57 min.)

Eric Schweig interview thumbnail for Art, Heritage & Healing

Eric Schweig speaks with Rolf Bouman about carving, writing, heritage, healing and mentorship, including the story behind his Tilikum sculpture and the importance of creative spaces for young people.

Shianne Gould on Mi’kmaq Art, Mother Nature and Healing (English, 30 min.)

Mi’kmaq artist Shianne Gould in a Friends United interview about art, healing, and reconciliation

Nancy Regan speaks with Mi’kmaq artist Shianne Gould about art, Mother Nature, emotional healing, intergenerational trauma and her creative relationship with her mother, Loretta Gould.

Gerry Sheena on Totem Pole Carving, Sobriety, and Reconciliation Through Action (English, 54 min.)

Gerry Sheena, Indigenous artist and carver, featured in a Friends United interview graphic about totem pole carving and reconciliation.

Gerry Sheena speaks with Nancy Regan and Rolf Bouman about totem pole carving, sobriety, mentorship and reconciliation through action, friendship and Indigenous art.

Reconciliation, Restorative Justice & Trust | Nancy Regan with Danny Graham (English, 63 min.)

Danny Graham interview thumbnail for Friends United Reconciliation Talks, with text reading Reconciliation & Restorative Justice.

Nancy Regan speaks with Danny Graham about reconciliation, restorative justice, treaty relationships and building trust through listening. The conversation also explores Mi’kmaq leadership, Aboriginal rights and the Peace and Friendship Treaties.

Reconciliation Through Education: Shannon Monk & Nancy Regan (English, 78 min.)

Shannon Monk speaks with Nancy Regan about reconciliation, education and cultural confidence at Friends United in Unama’ki, Cape Breton.

Nancy Regan speaks with Shannon Monk about reconciliation, Indigenous education, cultural confidence and learning from Indigenous communities and residential school survivors through listening, creativity and respect.

Hereditary Chief Stephen J. Augustine on Mi’kmaq Knowledge, Art & Friends United | Nancy Regan (English, 103 min.)

Hereditary Chief Stephen J. Augustine in conversation with Nancy Regan at Friends United

Hereditary Chief Stephen J. Augustine speaks with Nancy Regan about Mi’kmaq knowledge, cultural memory, education and the role of art in connecting ancestral teachings with future generations.

Nancy Regan Interviews Rolf Bouman About the Vision Behind Friends United (English, 48 min.)

Friends United founder Rolf Bouman during his Reconciliation Talks interview with Nancy Regan.

Nancy Regan speaks with Friends United founder Rolf Bouman about the initiative’s beginnings, supporting Indigenous artists and creating the Friends United International Convention Centre as a place for art, dialogue and understanding.

Wisdom & Resilience: Kerry Prosper on Indigenous Heritage & Reconciliation (English, 44 min.)

Kerry Prosper in a Friends United interview about Mi’kmaq culture, art and reconciliation in Nova Scotia

Nancy Regan speaks with Kerry Prosper about Mi’kmaq heritage, language loss, reconciliation and passing cultural knowledge to future generations. The conversation also remembers Sandra Simon and her porcupine quill basket work.

More Friends United Media

All Interviews

Browse the complete Friends United interview collection, including reconciliation conversations, artistic journeys, cultural stories and community voices.

Friends United Interview Series

Discover conversations with artists, cultural voices, collaborators and people connected to the history and work of Friends United.

Videos & Performances

Watch project films, performances, event videos and other Friends United media beyond the interview series.